Helping People Choose

We are proud to be the first company to commit to using GDA labelling on confectionery products worldwide

We believe in helping people make the right choices for themselves, their families and their pets by providing clear and meaningful information about the ingredients we use in our products. All our retail products bear ingredient statements so consumers know what is in them.

The Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) labeling on the majority* of our confectionery and food products provides consumers with information about the nutritional value of our products.

Because we want people to trust their favorite Mars brands, we have a comprehensive global Marketing Code to ensure we advertise our products responsibly. Mars also seeks to support parents in making healthy choices for their children. One important aspect of our Marketing Code is our commitment not to direct advertisements to children under 12 years of age. Read more about responsible marketing.

Nutritional Labeling

We are committed to providing nutrition information on our labels even in countries where it is not required by law. In addition, we use GDA labeling to prominently display nutritional information on the front and back of our packaging, and we are proud to be the first company to commit to using GDA labeling on confectionery products worldwide. Since 2008, we have adopted GDA labels in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and other markets. We also follow all local nutrition-labeling regulations.

GDAs are a guide to how many calories and key nutrients are present in a portion of food or drink, and what percentage of a person's maximum daily intake of these nutrients that amount represents. The label on the front of the pack displays the total calories in a single serving of the product. The back of the pack has the same information for calories, as well as fat, saturated fat, sugars and sodium.

We have implemented GDA nutritional labeling on at least 90% of our chocolate and confectionery portfolios. Within our food portfolio, 85% of our products carry a GDA label.*

We are redesigning packaging on all these products to make sure the nutritional information provided is even more prominently displayed, making it easier for consumers to read and understand.

Resources for Consumers

We include nutritional information about our products on our global brand sites such as www.snickers.com, etc. We also have regional websites, which make our healthy living messages more meaningful to local audiences:

Our partnership with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which is providing information on the role of pets in children’s health and development. Read more about human animal interaction here.

Responsible Product Claims

We believe in providing truthful claims that do not mislead. To support our claims, we use the latest scientific expert views and conduct research in partnership with leading universities.

One example is our work with our sugar-free gum products in Europe. Sugar-free gum has been approved to make certain health claims related to the reduction of disease risk under the European Commission (EC) claims regulation. The EC's approval strengthens our ability to communicate the oral-health benefits of chewing sugar-free gum to consumers and professionals, and supports our aim to make a positive impact on oral health globally.

To bring this message to life, we’re reaching consumers around the world through our Oral Care brands – EXTRA®, FREEDENT® and ORBIT® – and a united call to action: Eat Drink ChewTM. First launched in Australia in 2006 and now active in more than 40 markets, our Eat Drink ChewTM platform and accompanying “Break Up with Lingering Food” campaign show consumers that when brushing isn’t possible, chewing sugar-free gum is a great way to help keep teeth clean and healthy after eating or drinking.

We have a tremendous opportunity to use our Oral Care gum brands as champions for positive change, by encouraging healthy habits and giving people the confidence that comes with a happy, healthy smile. We are currently partnering with leading oral care experts from around the world to further define where we can make the greatest contribution. Read more here.

Greater Consumer Choice

We offer a variety of products with different nutritional contents, and people can expect the same great quality and convenience no matter which product they choose. For example, the UNCLE BEN'S® range offers a wide variety of white, wholegrain brown and flavored rice products, which have different nutritional values. People seeking a good source of fiber can choose UNCLE BEN’S® Ready Rice® Whole Grain Brown. In the U.S., SEEDS OF CHANGE® and UNCLE BEN’S® Ready to Heat pouch flavored, mixed, wholegrain products contain quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat, wild rice and whole barley, and are high in fiber.

Mars Chocolate provides a wide variety of snacks in a range of portion sizes to be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. For example, we have replaced some single large chocolate bars with multiple smaller bars in one package to make it easier for consumers to share or enjoy on more than one occasion. Mars Drinks offers a choice of decaffeinated and zero-calorie drinks for people who want to manage caffeine and calorie intake, and Wrigley offers many sugar-free gum brands that provide established oral care benefits.

*This excludes herbs and spices and condiment packs that are too small to label with GDA information as well as Mars Foodservice products, which are currently only labeled in the U.K. and will be labeled in the U.S. soon. Chewing gum, bubble gum, breath mints, drops, dental pastilles and medicated confectionery are exempt from GDA labeling because they contribute a negligible amount of nutrients (per serving) to the diet. This also excludes gift/promotional items.